Wolverines to Resume Action vs. Spartans in Weekend Home-And-Home Set

Friday, January 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

Michigan State

(Michigan Photography)

Wolverines to Resume Action vs. Spartans in Weekend Home-And-Home Set

1/6/2021 10:54:00 AM | Ice Hockey

By: Kristy McNeil

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The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan hockey team opens the second half of its schedule this weekend in a home-and-home series against Michigan State. The Wolverines will host the Spartans on Friday (Jan. 8) at 7 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena. On Saturday (Jan. 9), the teams will battle at 4:30 p.m. inside Munn Arena in East Lansing. Friday's game will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus, while Saturday's matchup will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.

Hail from Home

Game days may look different this season, but the tradition of cheering on Michigan ice hockey continues. Hail From Home is our way to virtually bring the excitement of game day to fans. Throughout the season, fans can look forward to a variety of digital engagements including fan cutouts at Yost, game day playlists, Yost scoreboard messages, virtual Zamboni rides, a season ticket giveaway, and more. » Hail From Home

The Series

In-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State will face off for the 326th and 327th times. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 165-136-24, and are 6-2-2 in the last 10 games against the Spartans. The last time the teams met was in last season's Big Ten quarterfinal series, resulting in back-to-back 3-0 Michigan shutout victories. The Wolverines are 77-45-5 against MSU in Ann Arbor but dropped their regular-season matchup at Yost last season, 4-3, on Nov. 24. State has the upper hand at Munn, 69-51-11, with the teams splitting contests there last year. U-M also claimed a 4-1 win at the Duel in the D to capture their fourth straight Iron D Trophy.

Wolverine Bites

• The Wolverines start the second half of the season ranked No. 9 in the latest USCHO Poll (Jan. 4) with a 5-5 overall record. Michigan is tied for fifth place with MSU (eight points) in the Big Ten standings.

• The Wolverines average 3.00 goals per game and are led by four freshmen in scoring. Thomas Bordeleau (three goals, seven assists) and Kent Johnson (2G, 8A) each have 10 points. Brendan Brisson (2G, 5A) adds seven points, while and Matty Beniers (3G, 3A) and Nick Blankenburg (3G, 3A) have compiled six.

• Michigan restarted practice on Dec. 21, but has been without Cam York, Beniers and Brisson, who won gold medals Tuesday night (Jan. 5) at the World Junior Championship. All three should be eligible to play this weekend.

• In goal, junior captain Strauss Mann has a .910 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average as the starting netminder.

• Michigan's power-play unit ranks fourth in the nation, converting on 28.6 percent of its chances and looks to have opportunities against MSU, which is one of the most penalized teams in the nation.

Scouting the Spartans

Like Michigan, Michigan State (3-3-2)posted a .500 record during the first half of the season. The Spartans split a series with Penn State this past Sunday and Monday (Jan. 3-4).

Five MSU players are tied atop the team scoring column with six points apiece. They include seniors Mitchell Lewandoski, Charlie Combs and junior defenseman Dennis Cesana. Sophomore Josh Nodler has a team-high six assists, while classmate Nicolas Mueller has one goal and five helpers.

Drew DeRidder is the only netminder the Spartans have used this season and has compiled a 4-4-2 record with a .946 save percentage and a 1.78 goals-against average. He has stopped 315 shots and allowed 18 goals in just over 600 minutes.

MSU has the sixth best scoring defense in the nation, holding teams to 2.00 goals per game, while allowing 2.10 GPG. Ranked in the top 10 penalties taken, Michigan State's penalty kill is 30-for-36 (83.3 percent), while the power play is 3-for-28 (10.7 percent).

Up Next

• Friday, Jan. 15 -- vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 16 -- vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m.